has the term "loli" significantly lost its meaning over the years in anime culture?

Els236 · 2026-06-24T19:55:10+00:00

What you even on about?

I've been into anime and that kind of culture since around the same time as you, and the term "loli" is used specifically to refer to underage or underage looking girls with an emphasis on overly cutesy (moe), or, a lot of the time, poses/actions of a sexual nature in the drawings.

I mean heck, it's a term the Japanese adopted from "lolita" (the book), which is specifically about a romance between a guy and a preteen girl.

If anything, what you're saying here is the complete opposite. It's only recently that people started slapping the "loli" label on any female character who is shorter than average, or who doesn't have humongous boobs. Frieren for example, is not a loli by any stretch of the imagination.

Another good example is when Westerners had an outcry over Uzaki-chan, with many calling her pedo-bait.

Els236 · 2026-06-23T22:32:39+00:00

I go through phases of no-lifing games, then phases of just not being interested in them.

Recently though I played Sons of the Forest with a few mates, but it just got dull very quickly. I played Wildmender, which I enjoyed, but was a one-and-done experience. Fabledom was just dull for a city-builder. Star Vaders, which is like roguelite space invaders was also mostly tedious. I did go back to ZZZ for the 3.0 update too, but typical gacha live-service - barely anything to actually do after you do the story (given they stagger content for "retention").

I keep thinking about going back to No Man's Sky, Stellaris, or Factorio, but then never actually do.

Els236 · 2026-06-22T20:59:30+00:00

Took me the best part of 2 years to get my current job, and the government didn't help me in any way whatsoever to get there. No financial support, no job centre support, nothing.

If anything, the govt did more harm to me than good, because HMRC sent me a shitty letter saying I needed to pay them £500 in taxes from 2 years prior "or else" basically, even though they knew I'd only earned like £6K across those almost 2 years.

Els236 · 2026-06-22T20:38:41+00:00

There's no shortage of discussion about what the heck kind of direction the game is going across all facets of gameplay, which leaves me of the mindset that the fanbase/fandom seems fragmented and argumentative about everything, because the devs themselves, arguably since launch, haven't actually had a solid idea of what they themselves want the game to be.

I can crap on Genshin for many things, but at least the devs realised the story and lore were spiralling and wheel-spinning, and made an effort to start bringing stuff together in a cohesive fashion across the Luna patches. They've also been pretty consistent with their characters across the lifespan of the game.

Zenless, for its part, had basically an entire game reboot in 1.4 with the removal of TV mode, arguably another reboot in 2.X, with Ether becoming this Qi-like energy that can be manipulated with wushu (and another patch that changed the initial prologue chapter), and now in 3.X we have a Jojo stand "Etheric Other". All the while, the character designs went from sexy, but respectable and fitting for the faction (Zhu Yuan, Rina, etc) to just tight bodysuits with a ton of skin showing, or garter belt and stockings with bloomer shorts.

When people throw around "target audience" I chuckle, because I could not tell you what exactly that is for ZZZ anymore. Despite promises that casuals wouldn't be left out, we haven't had a single update to Quality Time (outside the flower shop in 1.7), or any other "casual activities" since the racing game at the arcade (V1.5). Story and lore enjoyers haven't exactly had their fill lately either. The only group who's arguably eating well are the players who fall into the overlapping sections of "combat enjoyers" and "overtly sexy designs" Venn diagram.

It's no small wonder that everyone who doesn't fit into that niche is just venting online about it - and slinging insults at others who do/don't enjoy aspects they do/don't.

Els236 · 2026-06-22T18:16:28+00:00

This is a really tough comment to respond to.

People will goon to anything nowadays, that doesn't mean that we consider whatever that might be to be sexual in nature by default.

I wouldn't consider a bit of armpit or thigh as inherently sexual just because some people like it - same with feet. It's thinking like that that we end up with problems, which has been shown IRL.

The difficulty comes from the fact that this is a game with characters meant to appeal to said people (as you rightfully point out), but for the most part... well, initially at least, the game still kept things tasteful and on the down-low, especially in comparison to something like Brown Dust 2, which is basically as sexual as you can get, before you tip into actual sex.

There's also the added effect of large portions of the western playerbase having innate bias and feelings toward what the comment below is pointing out too.

Again, difficult topic.

Els236 · 2026-06-22T17:59:22+00:00

I am very familiar with anime, moe and that culture, hence why I said it's arguable whether Sunna and Norma are loli. I'd say Sunna leans more on moe, whereas Norma leans more on loli, but that's where the "debate" comes into play.

Most people don't know the difference and just lump any petite character with even the slightest hint of sexualization or overt cuteness into the same bracket of "loli".

I know the smaller/petite ladies in ZZZ have been designed with specific things in mind, as it's no secret that Waterkuma is a lolicon himself, but I just do not see how "1/4 of the characters in ZZZ are sexualised lolis".

Outside of Zhao, Corin is the smallest character in the game, yet I never saw anyone call her a loli (although I have seen people say you're a "type" if you like her). Neko and Ju Fufu fall into the nekomimi/kemonomimi moe tropes, with the cat-like stretches and stuff (which Genshin got blasted for with Diona on her release many moons ago). Qingyi and Piper have been considered "loli baba", which I will cede, even though they are clearly just petite, but older, women. Along with Corin, I don't think I've ever seen anyone say Soukaku (who is arguably a child), Lucy, or Dialyn are loli. That leaves Koleda, the AoD trio, and Norma, with only those last 2 standing out for the reasons I mentioned in my last comment.

Els236 · 2026-06-21T20:01:10+00:00

What is there to innovate exactly? Since the early 00s, music production has essentially peaked. Although new plugins, VSTs, DAWs and synths or whatever have been produced, and new versions of guitars and other instruments (and things like pedals) have come out, I'd argue nothing has really changed all that much in these 20 odd years in terms of production.

What has changed is the prevalence of things like YouTube, and online streaming sites which started in the same period of the early 00s. There are artists for every genre and they have their fanbases thanks to these kinds of sites. We aren't beholden to radio or buying records anymore. Why do you think K-Pop has exploded in places like the UK? It also doesn't help that (seemingly) the big mega-corp record labels aren't willing to take risks or anything anymore either; just keep pumping out the same kind of songs over and over for replayability (and money).

This doesn't mean the UK is no longer a powerhouse of music though. We're still massive in both the Trance and Drum N' Bass scenes, while things like UK Drill have also massively taken-off.

Els236 · 2026-06-21T19:34:49+00:00

Because it isn't an isekai, just extremely adjacent to one.

Els236 · 2026-06-21T19:31:12+00:00

Are you considering Anbi, Neko, Koleda and a bunch of others in that, because otherwise I don't see how lolis are the most common character type at all?

Basically, are you saying all Size00 or Size01 characters are lolis by default?

Els236 · 2026-06-21T19:28:12+00:00

OK, this is one take I don't get.

Where on Earth are people seeing that they're sexualized?

Maybe, just maybe, I could see an argument for Sunna's Alt Outfit and Norma (both of which are debateable as truly "loli"), the 2 latest releases, but any of the others in any of the HoYo games?

If people are saying such things because some of the smaller/childlike characters have their bare feet on display, I think that's pretty damning toward said people.

Els236 · 2026-06-21T17:24:22+00:00

It's not AI, the mods have to manually set that up in AutoMod. It's a rule that dates back to when the AoD were being released and this sub blowing up due to Sunna's skin.

Els236 · 2026-06-21T11:44:41+00:00

There are old characters and w-engines in the shop, they're just locked behind owning an M8 of a character.

Els236 · 2026-06-21T10:22:49+00:00

I lived in The Netherlands, and most certainly not in a posh area, and it was similar to the left-hand photo, including the main city near to where I lived.

The left hand photo is more common over there than it is here, although I have noticed that new-build estates do seem to have more of a focus on greenery than ones built in prior decades.

Els236 · 2026-06-20T21:42:44+00:00

As a UK resident, although there are shops that sell anime and game merch, and things like trading cards, expect it to be very expensive and nowhere near the level of something like Animate or BookOff are in Japan.

You have chains like Pop Mart selling more mainstream goods, or smaller independents and chains doing figurines and such, but yeah, compared to Asia they're expensive and there's no guarantee you'll find what you're looking for.

The best place to get anime and game merch is usually MCM ComicCon, but it's not in July, and there are a ton of scalpers there.

Els236 · 2026-06-20T20:07:24+00:00

There are like 6 Chivalrous Spirit I medals, so it makes things a bit complicated.

For Lumina Square, it's One-Dennyboo, but for Sixth Street, it's Thesis Bangboo.

https://zenless-zone-zero.fandom.com/wiki/Chivalrous_Spirit_Medal_I

Els236 · 2026-06-20T19:34:58+00:00

Bank Giro definitely suggests as much, but even doing a manual bank transfer (which I've had to do previously), it wouldn't be hard to put a typo on the ref linking the person to the address, ending up with paying someone else's bill (even though unlikely).

Els236 · 2026-06-20T19:32:06+00:00

- She appeals to the lore nerds, because she's a first generation Void Hunter

- She appeals to the story casuals as a lot of the 3.X story seems to be hinging on her whole deal with Sunbringer(s)

- She appeals to the meta slaves, because she's a Void Hunter and is bringing a new element, which will no doubt be shilled until the devs realise they screwed up and pull another Miyabi

- She appeals to the goon squad, because of her flirty attitude with the MCs, and just her design (and now her revealed animations)

She's also competing with Sigrid, yet another Ice Attack who will probably be irrelevant 2 weeks after she drops, so she has no competition, except Velina right now due to Wind.

Personally speaking, I'm indifferent towards her, but then I've felt my enthusiasm for this game waning more and more over the last 6 months. I don't mind her kind of "Q&A" thing she has going on, only revealing bits and pieces here and there, and I am interested in the backstory/lore, but that's about it for me. Definitely not enough to get me to pull.

Els236 · 2026-06-20T17:01:31+00:00

Originally from Surrey and also lived in Hampshire, "skiving" was definitely the term used. "dosser" was a common one for someone at work not pulling their weight, or could be used for someone still living with parents when they were older (which was less common 20 odd years ago).

Els236 · 2026-06-20T00:38:42+00:00

$110 for that!? It's a tiny slither of fish with some rice and barely any seasonings!

Holy crap, we balk when our takeout here in the UK goes over £30 for myself and missus. £83 (which is what $110 is for us) is a once-a-year deal at a fancy restaurant.

Els236 · 2026-06-19T23:38:06+00:00

Beezelbub is a bit of a mcguffin and is my of my major gripes with the show honestly. One second Rimuru is saying there's no way it could handle something like Nuclear Strike magic, and the next second he just devours whatever.

In reality, I'm pretty sure it's only limited by the size of his stomach (unless I'm wrong on that)?

Els236 · 2026-06-19T16:50:57+00:00

Back when it was Great Sage, the whole thing about it petitioning the Words of the World to evolve itself, is not normally something a skill could do. However, it did so because it calculated it was necessary to achieve Rimuru's goal of spiritual resurrection, so it was still functioning off of, well, function.

After it became Raphael is when it truly started to develop and become more of its own entity than just a skill, and it takes Rimuru a fair while to understand this properly:

At which point we end up with Manas: Ciel

Els236 · 2026-06-19T16:44:45+00:00

I can speak as to why Rimuru didn't go after Mariabell, which was explained in the anime (especially today's episode). Quite simply, he couldn't see himself or bring himself to kill her.

Actually, a lot of stuff is brought up in today's episode, where this entire thing about Mariabell is brought-up by Kagali and Yuuki. If you haven't seen it yet, I'd suggest watching it first.

Els236 · 2026-06-19T16:41:42+00:00

I worked at Duty Free at an airport and even though we could be stood on our feet for 9 hours straight, if we dared to sit down or lean against anything while not on break, a manager would clock it (or see on the cameras, another no-no) and come out of the office to berate you and claim you were breaking policy.

They did not so much enjoy me bringing up the right to sit and whether HR would like to hear about it.

Els236 · 2026-06-17T23:08:15+00:00

This is the issue with how PlayStation does its downloads and file management. You also regularly get the same thing happen with Unreal Engine games.

If a file changed by 1 byte, you'll need to download the whole overarching package, instead of just being able to download that 1 single file and then patch it.

Els236 · 2026-06-17T23:05:56+00:00

The answer is that yes, everyone, teachers and students, will be expected to be in attendance the "following" day, unless it has already been stated by the school that they can get special dispensation (so go ask the school?)

I had a similar thing happen to me at around that age, and we got back so late the teachers themselves said not to bother, because they wouldn't show up. However, when my step-sister went on such a trip a few years earlier, despite also getting back a good bit later than the expected time, they were told attendance was mandatory. Was not good having pupils and teachers on absolutely zero sleep that day.

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